Well women

Keeping well in older age

Just because you are now a little older does not mean you cannot be as fit and healthy as you have always been. You will need to take a bit more care with your personal health. You need to take stock of your lifestyle, what you eat, how much alcohol you drink, your weight, how much you exercise, self-check yourself (breasts) and keep up regular health checks. If you smoke make the effort to stop now. Women as well as men need to take care of their heart.

The menopause can be an unsettling time in a woman’s life and every woman will go through it. It doesn’t happen at a particular age or last for a fixed period of time, and it can cause a variety of different symptoms, both physical and emotional.

There are free breast screening services. You will be invited (aged 50-70) for routine screening every three years. Details on Breast Cancer. If you do not get an invitation contact your GP.

GP says...

Our bones gradually lose their density as a natural part of ageing. This happens to everybody but the change is faster in women after the menopause.

Osteoporosis increases the risk of breaking bones, especially those in the wrist, hip or spine. There are several things you can do to help maintain your bones and reduce Osteoporosis.

• Eat calcium-rich foods.
• Go easy on the protein.
• Get your sunshine quota.
• Quit smoking.
• Cut out the salt.
• Be active.
• Drink sensibly - avoid caffeine.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Crash dieting can increase the risk.

Menopause

The menopause can make you feel as if you're not in control of your own body, but there are ways to ease the symptoms.

• To ease hot flushes and night sweats exercise regularly, wear lighter clothing, keep your bedroom cool and try to reduce your stress levels. Avoid triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol.
• Get some exercise - there is evidence that women who are more active tend to suffer less from the symptoms of the menopause.
• Stop smoking - women who smoke have an earlier menopause than non-smokers, have worse flushes and often do not respond as well to tablet forms of HRT. It is never too late to stop smoking.